Audio Systems: CD player to old speakers, highschool kids, phono plugs

Question
I'm trying to hook up a Sony C500 5-disc cd player to an old pair of speakers, but can't get it to work.  Granted, I bought the speakers at a thrift store, but I have tried hooking up the cd player to other speakers and still can't get results.  I've been to Radio Shack a few times, but all their suggestions haven't worked.  I've tried using adapters that connect phono plugs to tinned ends.  Is the voltage to high for the old speakers (120V)? or do I need some sort of amplifier?  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
most (including this) home cd players do not have amplifiers built in.  the speakers will not work without a reciever or some type of amplifier.  the jacks in the back of the unit are known as "line level"  they are at a level that the amplifier recieves and boosts up for "speaker level"  
As far as radio shack goes 99% of them are just highschool kids that dont want to work at McDonalds or something,  they know next to nothing.
You can test weather the speakers work by putting a AA battery across their wires (NOT WHEN ATTACHED TO THE CD PLAYER!)  if the speakers are working you will hear a click when you touch the batter to the wires.